San Francisco 49ers: Don’t sleep on these key reinforcements coming back in 2018
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Wide Receiver Pierre Garçon (Neck)
Before suffering a season-ending neck injury in Week 8 versus the Philadelphia Eagles, veteran wide receiver Pierre Garçon was on pace to crest 1,000 yards receiving, which would have been the first 49ers player to do so since Anquan Boldin back in 2014.
San Francisco 49ers
Garçon was at 500 yards exactly on 40 catches, and that was with sub-par quarterbacking from the likes of Brian Hoyer and C.J. Beathard.
One can only imagine what those numbers could have been with Jimmy Garoppolo under center.
But we’ll get to see that in 2018, as Garçon is scheduled to return from his neck injury next season.
It’s an important addition too. While fellow Niners wideout Marquise Goodwin has been the primary beneficiary from Garoppolo’s presence and Garçon’s absence, the latter offers a tough, physical nature many of the other 49ers receivers have yet to display.
And that’s the kind of presence made all the more valuable in a Kyle Shanahan-style offense.
Getting Garçon back only makes San Francisco’s passing attack — which has come along nicely in recent weeks — all the more potent.
He’ll be a welcomed reinforcement.